Squats were fine up to the last set. All warmups were done ATG. I started the final set ATG, but I kept letting the bar slide down a little on my back as I dropped so it was difficult to get into proper ATG position. I had to reposition the bar after rep 2, and again after rep 4. However, after rep 4 while getting the bar back up into higher position it started to swing a little and I didn't feel comfortable moving right into the next rep as I felt off and the weight was difficult. I racked, paused for 15 seconds to collect myself and then did 2 more reps to parallel (or maybe a little below, not sure). I could have done 5 if I kept the bar in the right spot during the lift.

I'm probably going to drop the ab wheel from my program next cycle. I want to start getting some other weighted assistance into my workouts, and while I can always try to balance a plate on my back as I roll out, I'd like to try some other exercises in my limited time. Lunges really wear me out though, especially with the added weight. Did bar holds again, going to try to do them at the end of each session.

Felt good going into the gym today, but lost my focus when it came to the final press set. I let the bar rest on my chest for a split second after the 6th rep and then ended up push-pressing it to start #7. I could have squeezed out all 8 strictly, but wasn't dialed into what I needed to do so I'm calling it at 7 reps. I'm not sure if this affected the rest of my session. I should have been able to hit 5x8 on the pullups. First time doing shrugs so I'm not sure how to rate my performance. I'll give them a couple cycles to fall in line. Bar holds are on par with last week.

Maybe I should have done a deload week before this new cycle. I'll definitely do one at the end of this cycle though. I've also dropped a couple lbs over the last few weeks, so that might have something to do with it. Lately I've been passing out at home without eating dinner. I need to make sure I eat something, even if it's a few slices of bread with earth balance.

Good suggestion. I'm doing leg raises so I've already got some ab work in, although I like the idea of more abdominal support muscle work. I was planning on switching to good mornings for my squat day assistance in lieu of the ab wheel, but maybe I'll try some planks instead.

I completely credit having a strong posterior chain to enable me to have a big deadlift. A couple of nights ago I used the 15kg plates for deficit deads and pulled a comfortable 5PPS ~ I got it on video and I'm putting together a compilation of the weeks' training as I'm down at our PL'ing gym this Sunday.

Bench felt great today. I actually had some left in the tank after rep 9, but decided to save it. I'm really happy with my bench press progression over the last few months. I was a lot stronger on the dips this time, since my shoulders were fresher. I think switching dips to bench day assistance was a good idea. Hopefully my jump rope comes in the mail this weekend so that I can get back to my usual warmup next week. I liked the jump rope/pullup alternation for full body warmup.

I actually like to go out to a dance club every now and again, only these days I don't usually have the energy for it so I suck back a 5-hour energy shot beforehand and then write the following day off as useless. I end up getting home at 3 in the morning, whereas I'm usually sleeping by 10 pm. I actually met my wife while hanging out with friends after a night out clubbing.

5/3/1 Cycle 4 Set 1

5 slow wide pullups5 minutes bike5 slow wide pullups

Squats:5x45 lbs5x1155x1655x2055x2405x270

I'm still sick with a cold from yesterday so I decided to go easy today and only hit my main lift and the required reps. Even this was tough. I don't want to stress myself too much. I'd rather get over the cold sooner.

Blah workout today. Had to cut down on the workout due to a shortened lunch break today. No improvement on military press but I wasn't really into it, probably still dealing with the tail end of the cold from Monday. Mediocre performance all around. Finally got my jump rope in the mail though, but I need to let it hang out a couple days to straighten. Also picked up an eco ball for chalking up my deadlift grip.

Stoked about getting back to jumping rope. The rope I purchased is great. http://www.amazon.com/All-Pro-Weight-Adjustable-Handles/dp/B0012RLJY6/. The only problem is that they didn't include extra crimps for shortening the rope. Instead they included a couple of eyelet halves. I wouldn't think about trying to crimp those on the rope as I fear they would cut through it. I ended up just taking a small bit of aluminum tube and using it as a crimp - works fine. I left the rope a little long just in case it wears out at the crimps. That way I can re-crimp it a few times before it gets too short. I'm also using it without the added weight (for now).

Felt great going into the deadlift. I did the first couple warmup sets slowly to make sure my form was good and then blasted through the rest of them. I also bought an eco ball and tried it for the final set. It really dried out my hands and I felt a much more solid grip. I would have gotten the 7th rep anyway, just with the eco ball powder it wasn't dropping into my fingers at the end like usual. Glute ham raises were tough at the end of the sets, and the leg raise was hell. I'll try for 15 reps next time, but I doubt my feet will reach even chest height by the end of those sets. Noticed a bit of improvement in my bar hold times, looking forward to further improvement.

Ended up talking to a couple kids doing squats in the gym who were complaining of tightness and inflexibility. I gave them the secret - stretching! Don't PE/athletics coaches in high school teach stretching anymore? Or do the kids just ignore it because they think it takes too long and doesn't matter (until they injure themselves later in life)? Probably the latter...

I hear you about the kids, I hardly every see any young ones stretching. Probably part laziness and I'm guessing stretching is stressed much through school as being overly important? I'd hope I'm wrong.

Felt fine going in but the last set on bench didn't feel great. Rep 6 was a bit more of a struggle than I thought it would be and decided not to try for rep 7. I didn't bother asking for spotter because lately I've been able to finish out my goal rep numbers on bench with a little left in the tank. Not sure what happened on rows, lower reps than last time. I didn't feel as strong on them as I thought I should. Dips and bar holds were fine, and pretty much in line with expectations.

Another blah workout. Wasn't on my game and my squats suffered for it. I just couldn't get focused for the heavy set. The first rep felt sloppy, but I got somewhat into the groove for the rest. Again, my hams are touching my calves at the bottom, but looking at the mirror I'm just a bit past parallel. I have to start taking video again so I can check my form from the side. I think I am loosening my shoulders a bit and the bar is rolling/sliding down my back to a lower position. I also don't think I'm keeping my core tight enough, so my chest is dropping, shifting the center of gravity up higher and forward. I tried to remind myself of that before the set, but during the set it just slipped away. I always have good form during my warmups, but almost always lose it during the final heavy set.

First time doing good mornings, weight was pretty easy, although I could feel the bar pressing against my spine up near my neck on one of the 135 lbs sets and from that point on made a point to hold the bar lower.

Bar hold at 135 lbs was better, probably because my grip was pretty fresh today, no real grip exercises on the docket other than those.